Two exhibition games at home

In preparation for the upcoming 2012-13 basketball season, the Cougar women’s team has scheduled two exhibition games this week.

BYU hosts Chadron State on Thurs. Nov. 1 and instate foe Dixie State on Fri. Nov. 2. Both games tip off at 7 p.m., and admission is free.

The Cougars had a hugely successful season last year compiling a 26-7, 12-4 record that included a second place finish in the WCC regular season race and a league tournament title. BYU also competed in the NCAA tournament playing a first round game at DePaul.

Returning starters Haley Steed, Kim Parker Beeston and Lexi Eaton will be the cornerstone of the team that returns 10 letterwinners.  Steed was named the 2012 WCC tournament MVP, Beeston picked up two WCC Player of the Week citations and Eaton was the WCC Co-Newcomer of the Year and was named to the WCC All-Freshman Team. Among the letterwinners is junior center Jennifer Hamson who was third on the team in scoring, second in rebounding and led the team in blocks.

Also back for her third year is junior Stephanie Vermunt Seaborn who played in all games averaging 6.5 points and 2.2 rebounds per game. Other experienced players that will strengthen the Cougar lineup are Stephanie Rovetti and Morgan Bailey, redshirts from the 2010-11 year. Two others who gained valuable experience as freshmen last year, Xojian Harry and Ashley Garfield, return for another season. Cougar fans will also see a familiar face on the court in 2012-13 in Keilani Moeaki Unga who last played for BYU in 2009-10. That year Unga averaged 4.4 points and 2.2 rebounds a game.

Four highly touted freshmen including two in-state standouts, begin their college careers this fall. Utahns Micaelee Orton and Makenzi Morrison will be joined by Kylie Maeda from Honolulu, and Kristine Fuller from Crystal Beach, Fla.

Chadron State compiled an 8-18, 8-14 mark last year. They return five letterwinners and one starter.

Dixie State College tallied an 18-8, 13-5 record in the 2011-12 campaign. From that team, six letterwinners are back including three starters.

Both of the exhibition games are slated to air live on BYUtv.

The Cougars officially open the 2012-13 campaign hosting instate rival Weber State on Fri., Nov. 9 at 3 p.m.